ithaca 37 rifled barrel?

jjohnwm

jjohnwm

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When I moved from a shotgun-only zone to a rifle area a few years back I was happy as a clam; sold all of my dedicated slug guns and hunted with a different rifle every day. :) But now...I am for some unknown reason getting the urge to play around with a slug gun again.

I have a nice old Ithaca model 37 12ga that I received when I was a teen. Its sentimental value to me is immeasurable, but I honestly haven't shot it much in recent years. I am wondering if there is a Canadian source for a fully-rifled slug barrel for it. Cantilever mount would be ideal, but beggars can't be choosers; rifle sights would do. Aftermarket (Hastings, etc.) would be fine, as would OEM...although I have experienced issues with interchangeability of barrels on old Ithacas in the past.

Can anybody help me breathe some life into this old favourite?
 
Early model 37 had hand fitted barrels and the serial # was stamped on the barrel to match the receiver. If there is no serial # on your barrel then a current Ithaca barrel should fit. If you can find one.
 
No serial number on my barrel, but very few OEM barrels that I have encountered over the years lock in place properly. I've found a couple, but they were essentially identical to mine, i.e. 28-inch mod choke.

A gunsmith has told me that any of these barrels can be easily fitted to my gun, but I haven't tried this route yet. It sounds reasonable; maybe an aftermarket manufacturer makes rifled barrels that can be made to fit?
 
Thank you, sir! I somehow failed to find that page, even though I googled Ithaca guns. My gun is far older than that 855,000 serial number cutoff for barrel interchangeability. Even if I were interested in spending much more than the cash value of the gun itself on the retrofitting they do...and assuming there is some way to send it to the States for the work...the deal-breaker for me is that the original barrel would no longer be useable. The old warhorse will remain as is.
 
I have a 50's 37 in 20ga and was told by Ithaca that a slug barrel can be installed but it will not be re-moveable as the action needs re-threaded/sleeved.Price was reasonable but can't ship to Canada.SSDD
 
Yes, that's pretty much the info from that link. $180 for the labour plus $300-$350 for the barrel, plus cost of shipping both ways (to the States!)...far more money than the gun is worth. The change is permanent and irreversible and the original barrel becomes useless. No thanks! :)
 
What about picking up a complete used deer slayer. See them from time to time on the ee. I know not many times but I would try a WTB listing
One never knows
Cheers
 
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I don't particularly want just an Ithaca Deerslayer...I want my nice old Ithaca to be a Deerslayer. :)

Sounds silly, I know...but if I were to buy another shotgun for dedicated slug use, there are several others I would choose before an Ithaca. The new Ithaca guns are probably terrific shooters, but look at the price! Older Ithacas represent, IMHO, one of the greatest values in used shotguns, but most or all of the Deerslayer models from back-in-the-day were smoothbores; I had one, and am still kicking myself for selling it.

Assuming that I don't come to my senses and realize how little I need a slug gun (a reasonable assumption; I almost never come to my senses...), I'd more likely hold out for a Browning bolt gun, or another Savage bolt, or another H&R Ultra Slug, or maybe a Benelli semi, maybe even try a 20-gauge, or...or...or...:)
 
My Dad has a 12ga model 37 that started life as a 30” full choke field. He had the barrel cut and Remington rifle sights soldered on by a gunsmith for a reasonable fee. That gun shoots rifled slugs like a beast! I think it has to do with the quarter threaded barrel they use. Might be an option for you.
 
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